Pro Pundits - Mark

Why I’m refusing to waver on Klopp’s defensive double-up

Mark Sutherns explains why he’s sticking to his guns amid the Liverpool defensive firesale.


I remain defiant when it comes to Liverpool’s full-backs. An avalanche of goals is flushing funds from Fantasy Premier League defences and Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m) and Andy Robertson (£7.0m) are rapidly being classified as disposable. But I’m not having it.

I’m not denying the logic. Liverpool have kept just four clean sheets in 13 matches since the restart and the injury to Alisson (£6.0m), a crucial component in Jurgen Klopp’s defensive jigsaw, nudges a hapless Adrian (£4.5m) into the firing line.

That worrying scenario provides a sub-plot to a season that, so far, has seen 144 goals scored, a rate of 3.79 goals per game. That’s a ridiculous figure: the record for a Premier League season was set in 1992/93 when we witnessed a rate of 2.65 goals per game.

So FPL managers are reassessing their team structure and flooding to the major benefactors of the goal rush, notably Spurs’ Harry Kane (£10.6m) and Son Heung-min (£9.1m).

Expensive defenders are being sacrificed and, should Alexander-Arnold and Robertson fail to return in Saturday’s Merseyside derby, the evacuation will only gather pace.

But the recent explosion from the Spurs pair isn’t enough to convince me to give up on my two defensive investments. I may well move funds from Lucas Digne (£6.1m) and Reece James (£5.1m) and replace them with £4.5m options, but I’m remaining steadfast on the Liverpool full-backs.

At this stage, FPL managers normally start to seek out trends and patterns vital to drive our decisions – our transfers, our early-season Wildcards.

But we’ve never experienced a start to the season like this. We’re in the midst of something extreme that, to my mind, makes it impossible to find the comforting foothold of reliable data and form.

So with just this small and extraordinary sample of matches as my reference, I’m refusing to write off a player who, prior to Gameweek 1, was the first name on almost every FPL teamsheet.

At the time of writing, over almost 240,000 managers have sold Alexander-Arnold heading into Saturday’s deadline.

Admittedly, his performances have contributed to that trend. He has been short of his best by some margin and has been strangely peripheral to Liverpool’s play. However, Alexander-Arnold’s numbers remain impressive: only West Ham’s Ryan Fredericks (£4.4m) and Aaron Cresswell (£4.9m) have created more chances among players in his Fantasy position, and with seven efforts on goal, no defender has bettered his direct threat. If you are brave enough to use data given the bizarre four Gameweeks we’ve had, there’s little in the numbers to drive you to sell.

Alexander-Arnold is a player that has provided 28 assists and five goals in his previous two campaigns, with his points tally improving from 185 points to 210. Since the start of the 2019/20 campaign, only Kevin De Bruyne (£11.6m) and Jack Grealish (£7.1m) have created more chances and on Boxing Day last year, the right-back coupled that creativity with an eye for goal to haul of 24-points, a record for a defender in the history of FPL.

Is this really an asset we can reject on the basis of four bizarre Gameweeks?

On Liverpool’s opposite flank, Robertson appears to be reaching new levels as an attacking outlet. He’s overshadowed Alexander-Arnold since the restart, creating more chances (22 vs 20) and more big chances (six versus three), while he’s surely passed the eye test.

The Scot is pouring forward on the left flank, overlapping Mane time and time again. He already has a first goal to his name and there should be more to come.

Fabinho bolsters Liverpool defence as Werner shows promise ahead of West Brom

Liverpool will be backed to be second only to Manchester City for goals scored again this season and, collectively, their full-backs have provided 34% of the assists since the start of the 2018/19 season.

So while the chances of clean sheets in the short-term may be diminished by Adrian’s tenure, Klopp’s side will have to score more goals to win matches and that will surely benefit their primary source of creativity.

And I’m not giving up on defensive returns, either.

We have to expect Klopp to react to the Villa Park mauling. He will surely focus on shutting down the gaps that were exploited in that defeat. The return of Jordan Henderson (£5.4m) and Sadio Mane (£11.9m) – both vital to Liverpool’s pressing game that denies opponents the time to exploit a high line – must also be factored in.

That aforementioned record of four clean sheets from 13 outings includes eight matches when the title was almost in the bag. But Liverpool cannot show any complacency now. Pep Guardiola will demand that his City side match Liverpool’s own relentless consistency, so Klopp will know that he has to quickly find a solution to their defensive frailties.

The fixture list convinces me that I can give him time.

Liverpool face just a Gameweek 8 trip to the Etihad and a home clash with Spurs in Gameweek 13 as major tests before the deadline for the first Wildcard.

So for this FPL manager, Alexander-Arnold and Robertson remain at the status they held before the madness ensued: unique assets who can present outstanding value.

They are investments worthy of that extra five million, particularly when I can compensate for that spend by investigating mid-price assets in attacking areas. We’ve already seen that Grealish, James Rodriguez (£7.6m), Dominic Calvert Lewin (£7.6m) and Michail Antonio (£6.3m) are options that offer the potential of returns that keep pace or even better the top tier players.

It’s going to take a Jose Mourinho team to go on scoring five and six goals a game to convince me otherwise. At that point, the madness shifts to a whole new level.


Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

3,031 Comments Post a Comment
  1. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts on wc?

    Guaita Steer
    Robbo Reguilon Lamptey KWP Dallas
    Salah Son JRod Grealish Soucek
    Kane DCL Maupay

    1. FPL_trail_runner
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No point having Soucek when you wont play him

      Its very template, and by that i mean how much time have you actually yourself put into this.

      I did my wildcard in week 2, id give you the same advice i took myself, dont ask people on here.

      Go away spend 30min and make your own team based on your own decisions. You have Dallas and he is now flavour of hte month, i was banging his and Ayling drum since week 1 ( have had double leeds defence all year) yet then here it was a terrible pick. My point is, the flavor here will change week to week

      Your team will always be changing if you are just followings others advice and not solid based on your own thoughts.(At times your picks will not return and if they arent really yours you will sell and miss the hauls)

      1. manu4life99
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks for the advice and good points well made.

        I hadn't planned on a wc at all until kdb news. Made the mistake of an early transfer so I'm sat on a 4pt hit with KDB still in my team.

        This is my current team (-4pt):

        McCarthy
        TAA Justin Dallas
        Salah KDB* Son Jrod
        Jiminez DCL Watkins

        steer mitchell bissouma kwp

        1. FPL_trail_runner
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          More than decent team with Mitchell in

          I also think next week is better for the wildcard

          This week is very hard to predict

          Next week is nice for Spurs, Liverpool, City etc You could have some nice picks next week if you wait which arent pushed on here :
          e.g City / Liverpool/ Spurs triple up, (Diaz, Mahrez Ageuro, Reguillon, Bale, Kane, TAA,Robbo, Kane + DCL + Hamez)

          Decent team there with nice fixtures for 2-3 weeks

          1. manu4life99
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Any news on Mitchell starting though as I had assumed pva was fit for this gw.

            Agreed on had week to wc in terms of first gw after IB, I would much prefer to hold but the thought of a second 8pt hit this season (selling kdb) made me consider the wc route.

            The only major surgery i feel i would want is kane in and sell kdb but as you say probably worth taking week on the chin, benching kdb and playing mitchell and then reassessing gw6

            1. manu4life99
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              *bad

  2. FPL_trail_runner
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Slightly tempted to captain Sterling this week.

    Salah currently but it could easily be Mane / TAA / Firmino who contributes in 1 /2-0 win for Liverpool

  3. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Some questions...

    A) Pulisic or Rodriguez
    B) Marcal, Saiss or Semedo
    C) Pick 2 of KWP, Dallas, Lamptey
    D) Captain Kane or Son

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Rodriquez
      Semedo
      Dallas,Lamptey
      Kane

    2. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A) Pulisic
      B) Semedo
      C) Lamptey and Dallas
      D) Don't know

  4. TST4N
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Robbo, McGinn/Barklry, Brewster

    or

    Castagne, Neto, Watkins?

  5. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    KDB ➡️ Bruno -4 (-8 all together?)

    Have Son and Mo already.

    Anyone else I should consider??

    1. FPL_trail_runner
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      To consider, dont make transfers so early in a 2 week window of international fixtures.

      Bruno is a bad pick for that price.

  6. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A question - would you sell KDB to Son for -8 or not?
    If not, then I'll play Lamptey and bench KDB.

    Guaita
    VVD Saiss Chilwell Lamptey*
    SalahC Zaha Mahrez
    Wilson DCL Jimmy

    Forster KDB** Mitchel Anguissa

  7. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Mahrez or Werner on a FH?

    1. Seanigula
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I have more confidence in Chelsea putting it together this week...in fact I bet on them to win by at least 2 🙂

  8. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A wildcard has never felt so good.

    1. Kryptonite666
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Team ?

    2. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Let’s we this bad boys

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Let’s see*

        1. goriuanx
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Martinez
          TAA Robbo Lamptey
          Salah Son Pulisic Grealish Trossard
          Kane Antonio

          Steer Brewster KWP Mitchell

          1. La Roja
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Thing of a beauty

            1. goriuanx
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              Back at ya

          2. FPL_trail_runner
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            You need a city attacker.

            Otherwise rather non template which i like

            double liverpool defence is very nice
            Also like antonio
            Only negative is grealish and trossard, both will flatter to decieve and wont come close to top points scorer team

            With kdb out you could easily put in Mahrez , City will score the most goals in the league, with or without kdb

            1. goriuanx
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              I took a few weeks away from the site etc. and found that I now have a team I want as opposed to what others suggest. I know how good City are, I just don't want them in my team for now but cheers anyway.

            2. Tony Moon
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              Grealish is an excellent pick. Created the second highest chances in the league last season, only he had nobody to finish them. Now he has. He'll score good points this season. Liverpool defence is good for the season, but not at present - FPL is about riding the waves and they're not currently on a wave.

          3. TLF
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Beautiful team Berbs, I'd get rid of Steer though personally, taking up what could prove to be a valuable Villa spot in the future should you choose to double on attack. GL

            1. goriuanx
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              I thought about this one but rather have a back-up GK in the unfortunate event Martinez gets injured or has COVID. GL to you as well fella!

              1. TLF
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 5 months ago

                Fair enough mate, could be a smart move.

    3. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      So who are you (C) Berbs?

  9. Clay Davis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A) DCL, Soucek (bench Brewster)

    B) Maupay, Watkins (bench Stephens)

  10. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is Saiss place under threat??

    1. Seanigula
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I don’t believe so

    2. Neves say Neves
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      slightly, marcal may be incontention when he's fit. Will probs play lwb tho

  11. MattysFantasyFooty
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Sacrifice Ings or Jiminez to Kane for a hit?

    1. Seanigula
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Ings has the tougher fixtures

      1. MattysFantasyFooty
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        true may keep jiminez as i usually go fixtures over form

    2. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Ings

  12. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What to do here chaps?

    Martinez
    James Mitchell Justin
    Son Salah Barnes KDB*
    Ings Jimenez DCL

    Forster Burke Lamptey Saiss

    Zilch ITB & no FT

    A) KDB ➡ Bruno -4
    B) KDB ➡ Grealish -4
    C) KDB ➡ Pulisic -4
    D) KDB Ings ➡ Kane(c) Pulisic -8
    E) No hits, play Burke

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      D for me. It could/should pay off immediately.

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Don’t temp me lad

        1. goriuanx
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Kane is by far the best C option this week and in GW8 too. Pulisic is Chelsea's best player and now fit.

          1. La Roja
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Pulisic may not even start though

            1. goriuanx
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              Lampard's comments were good enough for me tbh. Even if he doesn't, I fancy 30 mins of him tomorrow over most MFs this week.

              1. La Roja
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 5 months ago

                just done D

                Sod it lol

                1. goriuanx
                  • 13 Years
                  3 years, 5 months ago

                  Thank me tomorrow when it comes off 😉

    2. Seanigula
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      C or Mane

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Not enough cash

    3. Seanigula
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      also your entire starting defense is on the verge of not playing...I doubt James will play this week

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah that’s something I need to sort out as of next GW tbh

      2. Seanigula
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Probably not worth WC, but close

        1. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          WC is done and dusted lol

    4. F_Ivanovic
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      E or B.

  13. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Can't get my head around the Merseyside derby and the old firm kicking off at the same time. Surely both Sky and BT are shooting themselves in the foot

    1. MattysFantasyFooty
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I mean old firm has and always will be a far better derby no question

      1. Forza Papac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Best derby in the world without a doubt. Wouldn't mind watching top of the league Everton going to Anfield though

        1. MattysFantasyFooty
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          true honestly surprised the old firm is even on saturday as it usually always played on a sunday dont know why this is the case

    2. Seanigula
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      It’s also dumb for the US audience to have a big game that early, between 4:30am to 7:30am in the various time zones

      1. Ozzy smith
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Big games like the old firm always kick off early nowadays mate.

  14. Neves say Neves
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    KDB + Jimenez + Doherty --> Pulisic + Kane + Robertson -8
    Dun kno

  15. abaalan
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Martinez, 4.0
    Chilwell, KWP, Lamptey, Taylor, Mitchell
    Salah, Sterling, Son, Pullisic, Soucek
    Kane, Maupay, Brewster

    0.1 ITB, on WC, gtg?

  16. Big Ronnie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Werner or Jimenez to Kane for a -4?

    1. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Keep if it's a -4

  17. Dexters Laboratory
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Martinez Forster
    Saiss Semedo James Lamptey Mitchell
    Salah KDB Havertz Son Foden
    Brewster DCL Jiminez
    2FT

    A) KDB/Brewster - Kane/Bisso
    B) KDB/Jiminez - Kane/Pulisic
    C) KDB/Foden - Pulisic/Grealish
    D) KDB - Pulisic

  18. jonnybhoy
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Bench 2 of these please:

    A) Brewster (Ful H)
    B) Pondence (Leeds A)
    C) Saiss (Leeds A)
    D) Mitchell (BHA H)
    E) Justin (AVL H)

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      c d

    2. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      DE

  19. FreddyP3
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Chances of James (che) playing?

  20. Rash
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Where to save .3 to get pulisic?

    Martinez steer
    Lamptey regoulion chilwell Castagne 4.0
    Salah son grealish Rodriguez ###
    Kane DCL brewster

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Bin off one of Reg, Chil or Cast.

      1. circusmonkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Reg should be his nickname.

      2. Rash
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Cast to saiss

    2. jonnybhoy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Chilwell

    3. TST4N
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Chilwell to Zouma?

  21. Tinmen
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Folks, am I mad to captain Werner?

    1. MattysFantasyFooty
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      mad to still have him

    2. Gentle_Turks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      It's a punt but not the worst week to punt with no standout captain choices.

    3. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      If you still have him you might as well

  22. Gentle_Turks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Brighton fans - will Lamptey play this week?

  23. bishopfish
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Need to start 1 out of :

    Digne
    Mitchell
    Bissouma

    Any help appreciated?!

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Digne

  24. gomez123
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Start A) Mitchell or B) Lamptey

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      a

    2. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

  25. Old Gregg
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Which move please all for a -4

    R James > KDB > Podence
    To

    A) CHilwell > Son > Grealish
    B) somedo > Son > Grealish
    C) Dallas > Son > Pulisic

    1. FreddyP3
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

    2. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      C) What's the rest of your defence like?

      1. Old Gregg
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks.

        Taa-Justin-Lamptey-Mitchell

  26. circusmonkey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Having spent my two transfers early doors, I'm just going to ride out the KDB injury. There is nobody worth a -4 this week, I just don't think West Ham will leak loads, nor Arsenal, nor any scousers, nor geordies, Chelsea don't excite. I want to play Brewster, let's see with the team news tomorrow.

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      He's out for a few weeks - why would you ride out 11.5m of investment when nobody in the league can defend?

      1. Rinseboy
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        if you had Brewster Berbs would you play him or still take a hit for KDB out for Pullisic?

        1. goriuanx
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I'm taking that hit.

  27. andrinho
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Transfer in:
    a Zaha
    b James
    c Grealish
    d Pulisic

    Current team below
    Ramsdale
    TAA Taylor SAISS KWP
    Salah KDB Soucek Bissouma Mahrez
    Werner Mitrovic Wilson

  28. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I want to get Reguilon but i think i will make the same "mistake" with James.Is he nailed?

  29. PocketZola
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    How many points will this get?

    Martinez
    Bellerin rob lamptey
    Salah son grealish pulisic jrod
    Kane(c) dcl

    1. Neves say Neves
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      less than 200, more than 10

      1. PocketZola
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        See you on the 100 club

  30. Ibracadebruyne
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Best mid < 5.9?

    1. Neves say Neves
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      soucek

    2. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Find .1 and get Trossard if on WC otherwise Barkley is a decent shout.

      1. Ibracadebruyne
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers!